Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1546259
B10 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 24, 2026 AWARD CATEGORY: NONPROFIT, 1-50 EMPLOYEES Chrysalis Center Inc. HEADQUARTERS: Hartford YEAR FOUNDED: 1975 INDUSTRY: Human Services, Food Insecurity, Homelessness, Recovery and Mental Illness TOP EXECUTIVE: Sharon L. Castelli, CEO EMPLOYEES: 80 WEBSITE: www.chrysaliscenterct.org ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GOAL: $325,000 HIGHEST FUNDRAISING AMOUNT ACHIEVED: $424,058 ANNUAL REVENUE: $13.8 million F or more than 50 years, Chrysalis Center has transformed lives by empowering individuals and families to overcome barriers and achieve lasting stability. We provide person-centered services for those experiencing poverty, food insecurity, home- lessness, substance use disorders, HIV/AIDS and reentry after incarceration. Chrysalis Center has over 80 employees serving indi- viduals throughout the state of Connecticut, helping to build brighter futures filled with hope, dignity and independence. Tell us a bit about your recent accomplishments. Chrysalis Center has experienced an exciting period of growth. We recently opened Wingate Recovery Home, providing supportive housing for men and women transitioning into and out of substance use treatment. We also celebrated the opening of Berkowitz II in New Britain, adding 28 units of affordable housing, and HEARRT House in Plainville, which provides permanent supportive housing for eight older adults who were previously unhoused. On top of these milestones, we Junior Achievement of Southwest New England HEADQUARTERS: Hartford YEAR FOUNDED: 1943 INDUSTRY: Nonprofit, Education and Youth Development TOP EXECUTIVE: Jeremy Race, President & CEO EMPLOYEES: 18 WEBSITE: www.jaconn.org ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GOAL: $3.2 million HIGHEST FUNDRAISING AMOUNT ACHIEVED: $2.9 million, FY 2026 J unior Achievement of Southwest New England is a nonprofit organization dedi- cated to advancing economic opportunity and mobility for young people. Working alongside schools, businesses and community organizations, JA provides free programs that help K-12 students build financial literacy, explore career pathways and develop an entrepreneurial mindset. Through hands-on learning and mentor- ship, students gain the skills and confidence needed to own their economic success. Tell us a bit about your recent accomplishments. Over the past year, we expanded our impact by serving 44,431 students through JA programs, a 6.3% increase over the previous year. With the support of 2,119 volunteers, we delivered 257,307 instructional contact hours — a 30% increase year over year — across 1,897 classes. We expanded access to postsecondary opportunities, with more than 1,600 students enrolled in JA semester-long courses that provide free college credit through our higher proudly celebrated Chrysalis Center's 50th Anniversary this year. What are your plans for future growth? Expansion of future housing develop- ment, mental health and HIV-plus services, substance use recovery homes and signif- icant renovation on Veteran's project in Vernon. Expansion of catering services and food production via hydroponic grow center, food forest and raised bed gardens and fruit trees to help those with food insecurity. education partners. We also launched and expanded a major workforce initiative called JA Maritime, a program focused on getting young people interested in careers in the submarine manufacturing ecosystem. We also reached major milestones toward opening Connecticut's first JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, securing a 26,000-square-foot space in downtown Hartford to build a simu- lated indoor city that will ignite the dreams of thousands of young people each year. Together, these efforts continue to expand economic opportunity and workforce read- iness for young people across Connecticut. What are your plans for future growth? Looking ahead, our priority is the launch of JA BizTown and JA Finance Park in Hartford in 2027. This innovative learning center will help prepare up to 10,000 students annually with practical skills in financial literacy, workplace readiness and career exploration. By strength- ening strategic partnerships, engaging more volunteers and growing flexible funding, we will expand our statewide impact and help more young people build the skills and confidence needed to achieve economic mobility. 2026 C T BUSINE S S E XCELLENCE AWARDS AWARD CATEGORY: NONPROFIT, 51-250 EMPLOYEES PRESENTED BY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 17 | AQUA TURF CLUB | 5:00-8:00 PM SUPPORTING SPONSORS MAJOR SPONSOR SCAN FOR DETAILS & TICKETS OR VISIT HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/HBJ-EVENTS